Blockbuster shrugs off US concerns

The UK arm of DVD and games rental company Blockbuster has unexpectedly recorded an annual profit after its US parent filed for bankruptcy.

The chain, which has 600 company-owned stores in the UK, reported a £1.7 million profit in the year to January, according to accounts filed at Companies House. However, profits were down on the previous year’s £4.3m, while sales fell 12 per cent to £231m. Blockbuster’s US parent filed for bankruptcy and was saved by US pay-TV provider Dish Network this year – but this had little or no impact on its 4,000 stores across the rest of the world.